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(Nd Model.)

.G.- B. SMITH.

REVERSIBLE SWITCH BLOCK.

Patented Nov. 8

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INVENTflR,

N. PETERS. PholblillwgnphunWalhiuzlup. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE."

REVERSIBLE SWITCH-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,265, dated November8, 1881.

Application filed February 17, 1881. {No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. SMITH, of the city and county ofProvidence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented an ImprovedPortable Reversible Switch-Block for Use on' Tramways, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce an inexpensive and effectiveswitch block, by means of which cars on tramways may be readilydisplaced or derailed and as readily replaced upon the track.

My invention consists of a peculiar-shaped blockof iron or othersuitablematerial adapted toen gage with the rail, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows the device in position todisplace the car from the track. Fig. 2 shows the same in position toreplace the-car upon the track. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively,side, top, and inverted views of the same.

The switch-block Ais made preferably in the form of a short segment of acircle, of suitable width, provided near each end, and at nearly rightangles thereto, with downwardlyprojecting lugs a a, which engagethetrack when in use. Theuppcr surface of said block is slightly convex,terminating in wedge-shaped ends.

The operation of my device is as follows: In the practical running oftramway-cars,'particularly. street-cars, it often becomes necessary, byreason of obstructions, to jump the track and go around such obstructionor onto another track. Under such circumstances the block A is placedupon the track B, in front of the car-wheel O, as shown in Fig. 1. Thecar is now drawn in the direction of the arrow, when the tread of thewheel 0, coming in contact with the block A, the checked surface aprevents its slipping, and the wheel is raised sufficiently to clear theflange c i'rom the lugs a,.as well as the rail, when the car takes thedirection of the switch-block and leaves the track. By simply reversingthe block A, as shown in Fig. 2, the car may be replaced upon the track.

The block, being small and light, maybe conveniently carried under thecar-seat or suspended from the dasher at some readily accessible point.

Having described 111 y-invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patcut, is-

The reversible switch-block herein described, consisting of thesegment-shaped piece A of parallel width, having downwardly-projectinglugs a a formed thereon near each end, as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES R. SMITH.

' Witnesses:

FRED. A. GAY, GEo. H. REMINGTON.

